Farmers in China had no idea what they discovered when they found fragments of terracotta while digging for a well in 1974.

They had stumbled upon one of the architectural finds of the century, a massive monumental tomb structure complete with thousands upon thousands of life-sized clay statues. It was the the burial site for China's first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, who died in 206 B.C.E.

Decades after that discovery and some of that tomb is coming to Philadelphia.

"Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor" opens at the Franklin Institute on Sept. 30 and runs until March 4, 2018. It's the only East Coast trip planned for the exhibition, which premiered in Seattle earlier this year.

The exhibit features 10 actual terracotta statues, including archers, warriors, bureaucrats and musicians. It combines those with more than 160 artifacts from before the Qin-era in China, during the emperor's rule and after, during the Han dynasty. As you explore, you'll learn about who the Emperor Shihuangdi was, how he unified China and why he wanted to be buried surrounded by thousands of clay figures.

At one point you'll walk into a section that's made to look like the chamber itself, giving you an idea about what it's like to walk among the statues.

The exhibition is loaded with interactive elements, including a chance to build your own warrior, practice mass production molding and utilize Emperor Shihuangdi's method of measurements.

This is a phone-friendly exhibit, too. You'll want to use the Franklin Institute's augmented reality app as you walk around. Let your camera scan one of the museum's special cards and you'll have a virtual terracotta warrior in your hand that you can click on to find out more detail. Or you can use the app to make a terracotta army of your own anywhere you go.

Those curious to learn more about the warriors can also watch the Franklin Institute's IMAX film "Mysteries of China."

Entry to the "Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor" exhibit is $35 for adults and $30 for children (ages 3-11) and does include admission to the Franklin Institute. An audio tour of the exhibit is available for $6.

The Franklin Institute is located at 222 N. 20th St. in Philadelphia. For more information visit fi.edu.